CN214712692U

CN214712692U - Surgical grasping forceps

Info

Publication number: CN214712692U
Application number: CN202022574647.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: H·E·霍尔斯滕
Original assignee: Covidien LP
Current assignee: Covidien LP
Priority date: 2019-11-15
Filing date: 2020-11-10
Publication date: 2021-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2030-11-10
Also published as: US20210145470A1; EP3821832A1

Abstract

The present application relates to surgical graspers. The surgical grasper includes parallel jaws operably coupled to an ergonomic handle assembly. The ergonomic handle assembly is configured to enable a clinician to maintain the ergonomic handle assembly in a desired orientation for which the clinician is most comfortable to reduce fatigue during a surgical procedure without affecting the function of the parallel jaws.

Description

Surgical grasping forceps

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/935, 925, filed on day 11, 15, 2019 and U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/004, 004, filed on day 4, 2, 2020, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical devices for performing endoscopic surgical procedures. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a surgical grasper having parallel jaws operatively coupled to an ergonomic handle assembly.

Background

In minimally invasive surgery, a surgical procedure is performed by accessing a surgical site through one or more small incisions. An endoscope is inserted through one of the incisions to visualize the surgical site, and various surgical devices are inserted through the incision to perform the treatment of the tissue as desired. The advantages of minimally invasive surgery are well established, including reduced tissue trauma, reduced chance of infection, reduced patient recovery time, and reduced hospital costs.

Minimally invasive surgical procedures typically require grasping and holding or manipulating tissue. It would be advantageous to provide a tissue grasper that applies pressure to tissue evenly and that is easy for a clinician to use.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with the present disclosure, a surgical grasper includes a tool assembly, an elongate shaft, an actuation element, and a handle assembly. The tool assembly includes first and second jaws that are transitionable between an approximated configuration in which the first and second jaws are adjacent one another to grasp tissue therebetween and a spaced-apart configuration; in the spaced configuration, the first jaw and the second jaw are spaced apart from one another. The elongate shaft supports a tool assembly at a distal portion of the elongate shaft. An actuating element extends through the elongate shaft. An actuating element is operably coupled to the tool assembly such that axial displacement of the actuating element causes the first and second jaws to transition between the approximated and spaced configurations. The handle assembly has an arcuate body. The arcuate body contains an actuation button and a gimbal assembly. An actuation button is operably coupled to the actuation element to transition the first and second jaws between the approximated configuration and the spaced-apart configuration. A gimbal assembly is used to support the elongate shaft and the actuating element for off-axis movement and rotation.

In one aspect, the first and second jaws may be biased toward a spaced configuration.

In another aspect, the arcuate body of the handle assembly can have a diameter in the range of about 1 inch to about 4 inches.

In another aspect, the arcuate body of the handle assembly may have a diameter of about 2.4 inches.

In another aspect, the universal joint assembly can be used to maintain the configuration of the first and second jaws during off-axis movement and rotation of the handle assembly relative to the elongate shaft.

In yet another aspect, the arcuate body is operable to undergo off-axis motion of less than about 45 degrees relative to the elongate shaft.

In yet another aspect, the arcuate body can define an aperture to receive the elongate shaft and the actuating element therethrough.

In yet another aspect, the aperture of the arcuate body may be conical.

In one aspect, the arcuate body may include a skirt for providing a fluid-tight seal against the elongate shaft.

In one aspect, the arcuate body may be spherical.

In another aspect, the actuating element may be at least partially flexible.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical grasper includes a tool assembly, an elongate shaft, an actuation element, and a handle assembly. The tool assembly includes first and second jaws and first, second, third and fourth link elements. The first and second jaws are transitionable between an approximated configuration in which the first and second jaws are adjacent one another to grasp tissue therebetween, and a spaced configuration in which the first and second jaws are spaced apart from one another. The first link member and the second link member are coupled to each other about a first pivot. The first and second link elements are coupled to the respective first and second jaws and the respective third and fourth link elements about respective second and third pivots. The third and fourth link elements are pivotably coupled to each other about a fourth pivot. The elongate shaft supports a tool assembly at a distal portion of the elongate shaft. An actuating element extends through the elongate shaft and is operably coupled to the tool assembly such that axial displacement of the actuating element causes the first and second jaws to transition between the approximated and spaced configurations. The handle assembly includes an actuation button and a gimbal assembly. An actuation button is operably coupled to the actuation element to transition the first and second jaws between the approximated configuration and the spaced-apart configuration. A gimbal assembly is used to support the elongate shaft and the actuating element for off-axis movement and rotation.

In one aspect, the second pivot and the third pivot are movable along the respective first jaw and second jaw.

In another aspect, the fourth pivot may be coupled to the actuating element for axial displacement therewith.

In yet another aspect, the fourth pivot is movable along a groove defined in the elongated shaft.

In yet another aspect, the first jaw and the second jaw can include respective tissue contacting surfaces.

In yet another aspect, each tissue contacting surface can have a convex profile.

In yet another aspect, the second and third pivots are axially movable along the length of the respective first and second jaws.

In one aspect, the universal joint assembly can be used to maintain the configuration of the first and second jaws during movement of the handle assembly relative to the elongate shaft.

In another aspect, the first and second link elements are pivotably coupled to the respective first and second jaws.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical grasper includes: a tool assembly comprising first and second jaws that are transitionable between an approximated configuration and a spaced-apart configuration; an actuating element operably coupled to the tool assembly to transition the first jaw and the second jaw between the approximated configuration and the spaced-apart configuration; and an arcuate body. The arcuate body includes an actuation button operably coupled to the actuation element to transition the first jaw and the second jaw between the approximated configuration and the spaced configuration, and a gimbal assembly to support the actuation element for off-axis movement and rotation.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various aspects of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical grasper provided by the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the surgical grasper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the surgical grasper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the surgical grasper of FIG. 1, showing a handle assembly;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the surgical grasper of FIG. 1, showing the first and second jaws in a spaced apart position; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the surgical grasper of FIG. 1, showing movement of the handle assembly relative to the elongate shaft.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it should be understood that the graspers disclosed are merely examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Throughout the description of the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate similar or identical elements.

As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the portion of an instrument or component thereof that is farther from the user, while the term "proximal" refers to the portion of an instrument or component thereof that is closer to the user. As used herein, the term "about" means that the values are approximate and that minor variations do not significantly affect the practice of the disclosed graspers. Furthermore, the terms "parallel" and "perpendicular" should be understood to encompass relative configurations that are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular from true parallel and true perpendicular by about +10 degrees or-10 degrees.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the surgical grasper is shown generally as surgical grasper 100. Surgical grasper 100 includes a handle assembly 200, an elongate shaft 300 extending distally from handle assembly 200, and a grasper assembly 500 operably coupled to handle assembly 200. The handle assembly 200 is used to perform motion such as off-axis rotation thereof without actuating the grasper assembly 500. For example, the handle assembly 200 can be used to define an angle σ (FIG. 6) of less than about 45 degrees of off-axis movement relative to the elongate shaft 300.

In such a configuration, the clinician may maintain the handle assembly 200 in a desired orientation for which the clinician is most comfortable to reduce fatigue during the procedure. The handle assembly 200 is ergonomically designed to be held by a clinician. In particular, the handle assembly 200 has an arcuate profile. In particular, the handle assembly 200 includes a generally spherical body 202 for flexible use. The spherical body 202 has a diameter in the range of about 1 inch to about 4 inches. In one aspect, the diameter may be about 2.4 inches. The spherical body 202 may be formed of a lightweight biocompatible material, such as aluminum or a polymeric material, to reduce fatigue of the user. The spherical body 202 may define dimples (not shown) on its outer surface to enhance the clinician's grip. The spherical body 202 includes a universal joint assembly 250 (fig. 4) to enable relative movement between the spherical body 202 and the elongate shaft 300 without transferring such movement to the grasper assembly 500.

Fig. 3 and 4 show a handle assembly 200 that includes an actuation button 204 that extends at least partially out of a spherical body 202. An actuation button 204 is operably coupled to the grasper assembly 500 to actuate the grasper assembly 500. The actuation button 204 is pivotably coupled to the spherical body 202 about a pivot 208. The actuator button 204 defines a recess 212, the recess 212 to support the linkage member 206 about a pivot 214. In this configuration, when the clinician depresses the actuation button 204, the actuation button 204 causes the linkage element 206 to move proximally in the direction of arrow "P" which in turn proximally retracts the actuation element 210, thereby placing the first jaw 502 and the second jaw 504 in an approximate configuration. The actuation element 210 also includes a spring 216 to bias the actuation element 210 toward a forward position prior to actuation of the actuation button 204 to place the first jaw 502 and the second jaw 504 in a spaced configuration. It is contemplated that a latching mechanism (not shown) may be operably coupled to the actuation button 204 and may include one or more mechanical interfaces to selectively engage corresponding mechanical interfaces disposed within the spherical body 202 of the handle assembly 200 to selectively lock the first jaw 502 and the second jaw 504 in an approximated or spaced configuration (fig. 5). Additionally, the actuation element 210 may be formed from a flexible element such that the actuation element 210 can flex slightly to accommodate movement of the handle assembly 200 without actuating the grasper assembly 500.

As shown in fig. 4, the spherical body 202 includes a gimbal assembly 250 having a support 220 movably supported by an anchor 230 and a skirt 240. The support member 220 defines a channel 222, the channel 222 configured to receive the actuating element 210 therethrough. The spherical body 202 defines an aperture 254. The aperture 254 is covered by the skirt 240, and the skirt 240 defines an opening 242, the opening 242 configured to receive the actuating element 210 therethrough via the elongate shaft 300. The aperture 254 may define a conical shape. Surgical grasper 100 may be a single-use device that is discarded after use or sent to a manufacturer for reprocessing; a reusable device capable of being cleaned and/or sterilized for reuse by an end user; or a partially disposable, partially reusable device. With respect to the reusable and partially disposable, partially reusable configurations, the handle assembly 200 can be configured as a cleanable/sterilizable reusable component, while the grasper assembly 500 and/or the elongate shaft 300 can be configured as a disposable/reworkable component. To this end, the skirt 240 may provide a fluid tight seal against the elongate shaft 300. Additionally, skirt 240 may be formed of a flexible and/or resilient material, such as a gel, foam, or elastomer, to facilitate off-axis movement and/or rotation of elongate shaft 300 relative to spherical body 202 (fig. 6). It is contemplated that the spherical body 202 can further include a locking mechanism (not shown) for selectively locking the position and/or orientation of the handle assembly 200 relative to the elongate shaft 300. It is also contemplated that the handle assembly 200 can further include a spring (not shown) to bias the handle assembly 200 toward a centered position in which the elongate shaft 300 is concentrically disposed relative to the bore 254 of the handle assembly 200.

Fig. 5 shows the grasper assembly 500 supported on the distal end portion 302 of the elongate shaft 300. The grasping assembly 500 includes a first jaw 502 and a second jaw 504, the first jaw 502 and the second jaw 504 being transitionable between an approximated configuration for grasping tissue therebetween and a spaced-apart configuration in which the first jaw 502 and the second jaw 504 are spaced apart from one another and substantially parallel to one another. The first jaw 502 and the second jaw 504 may include respective

tissue contacting surfaces

502a and 504a having convex profiles. Further, the first jaw 502 and the second jaw 504, which have a convex profile, may make non-invasive contact with tissue grasped therebetween. Additionally, the first jaw 502 and the second jaw 504 may include respective atraumatic tips. In particular, the distal portion 302 includes a support bar 304 that supports a first link 306 and a second link 308 about a pivot 310. The support lever 304 defines a cam slot 320, the cam slot 320 for slidably receiving a cam pin (not shown) pivotally coupled to the third link 312 and the fourth link 314. The proximal ends of the third and

fourth links

312, 214 are pivotally connected to the actuating element 210 such that retraction of the actuating element 210 causes the

distal ends

312a, 314a of the third and

fourth links

312, 314 to move toward one another. The distal and

distal ends

312a, 314a of the third and

fourth links

312, 314 are pivotably coupled to the proximal and

proximal ends

306a, 308a of the first and

second links

306, 308, respectively, such that the actuation element 210 is retracted such that the proximal and

proximal ends

306a, 308a of the first and

second links

306, 308 are opposite one another. The distal end 306b and proximal end 308b of the first link 306 and second link 308 are pivotably coupled to the respective first jaw 502 and second jaw 504. In this configuration, actuation of the actuation button 204 causes the actuation element 210 to retract, which in turn transitions the first jaw 502 and the second jaw 504 to an approximate position. In this manner, first jaw 502 and second jaw 504 provide more uniform pressure on tissue clamped therebetween than conventional jaws that are pivotally coupled about a single pivot.

While various graspers have been shown and described in this disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these graspers are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A surgical grasper, the grasper comprising:

a tool assembly including first and second jaws that are transitionable between an approximated configuration in which the first and second jaws are adjacent to one another to grasp tissue therebetween and a spaced-apart configuration in which the first and second jaws are spaced-apart from one another;

an elongate shaft supporting a tool assembly at a distal portion of the elongate shaft;

an actuating element extending through the elongate shaft and operably coupled to the tool assembly such that axial displacement of the actuating element causes the first and second jaws to transition between the approximated configuration and the spaced-apart configuration;

a handle assembly having a spherical body, the spherical body comprising:

an actuation button operably coupled to the actuation element to transition the first and second jaws between the approximated configuration and the spaced-apart configuration;

a gimbal assembly for supporting the elongate shaft and the actuating element for off-axis movement and rotation.

2. The surgical grasper of claim 1 wherein the first and second jaws are biased toward the spaced configuration.

3. The surgical grasper of claim 1 wherein the spherical body of the handle assembly has a diameter in the range of 1 inch to 4 inches.

4. The surgical grasper of claim 3 wherein the spherical body of the handle assembly has a diameter of about 2.4 inches.

5. The surgical grasper of claim 1 wherein the gimbal assembly is configured to maintain the configuration of the first and second jaws during off-axis movement and rotation of the handle assembly relative to the elongate shaft.

6. The surgical grasper of claim 1 wherein the spherical body is configured to perform less than 45 degrees of off-axis movement relative to the elongate shaft.

7. The surgical grasper of claim 1 wherein the spherical body defines an aperture for receiving the elongate shaft and the actuation element therethrough.

8. The surgical grasper of claim 7 wherein the bore of the spherical body is conical.

9. The surgical grasper of claim 1 wherein the spherical body includes a skirt for providing a fluid-tight seal against the elongated shaft.

10. The surgical grasper of claim 1 wherein the actuation element is at least partially flexible.

11. A surgical grasper, the grasper comprising:

a tool assembly, comprising:

a first jaw and a second jaw, the first and second jaws being transitionable between an approximated configuration in which the first and second jaws are adjacent to one another to grasp tissue therebetween and a spaced configuration in which the first and second jaws are spaced apart from one another;

a first link element, a second link element, a third link element, and a fourth link element, the first and second link elements coupled to each other about a first pivot, the first and second link elements coupled to the respective first and second jaws and the respective third and fourth link elements about respective second and third pivots, the third and fourth link elements pivotably coupled to each other about a fourth pivot;

a handle assembly, the handle assembly comprising:

an actuation button operably coupled to the actuation element to transition the first and second jaws between the approximated configuration and the spaced-apart configuration; and

12. The surgical grasper of claim 11 wherein the second pivot and the third pivot are movable along the respective first jaw and the second jaw.

13. The surgical grasper of claim 11 wherein the fourth pivot is coupled to the actuation element for axial displacement therewith.

14. The surgical grasper of claim 11 wherein the fourth pivot is movable along a groove defined in the elongate shaft.

15. The surgical grasper of claim 11 wherein the first jaw and the second jaw include respective tissue contacting surfaces.

16. The surgical grasper of claim 15 wherein each tissue contacting surface has a convex profile.

17. A surgical grasper, the grasper comprising:

a tool assembly comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, the first and second jaws being transitionable between an approximated configuration and a spaced-apart configuration;

an actuating element operably coupled to a tool assembly to transition the first jaw and the second jaw between the approximated configuration and the spaced-apart configuration;

a spherical body comprising:

a gimbal assembly for supporting the actuation element for off-axis movement and rotation.

18. The surgical grasper of claim 17 wherein the spherical body has a diameter in the range of 1 inch to 4 inches.

19. The surgical grasper of claim 18 wherein the spherical body has a diameter of about 2.4 inches.